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Tapinoma Magnum Ant Invasion Expands to Saxony as German Cities Step Up Defenses

A new reporting system in Landau supports targeted monitoring of nests that have knocked out power and internet.

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Borsteinkante mit sichtbarem großen Spalt
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Overview

  • Bernhard Seifert confirmed first Tapinoma magnum colonies in Dresden-Langebrück and a Coswig garden center, marking the species’ eastward expansion into Saxony.
  • In Kehl the ants nested inside electrical and distribution boxes, causing power and internet outages and prompting local hot-water treatments.
  • Researchers trace the spread of these supercolonies primarily to imported Mediterranean potted plants sold at garden centers.
  • Landau has launched an online portal and scheduled on-site inspections to help residents identify infestations and assess their extent.
  • The Tapinoma Research Project advises against indoor insecticides and recommends informed community involvement alongside municipal control measures.